Deck 9: Problem Solving in Groups

Question 1

The specialized or technical language of a profession is referred to as

A)denotative.
B)dialects.
C)concrete.
D)abstract.
E)jargon.

Answer 1

E

Question 2

Which dimension of team talk is expressed in the following statement: "If we can develop a clear and agreed-upon group plan,our work will be much easier." What do the rest of you think?"

A)Identification Talk
B)Social Equality Talk
C)Balanced Power Differentiation Talk
D)Interdependence Talk
E)Conflict Management Talk

Answer 2

D

Question 3

When group members use different meanings for the same words and phrases,they run the risk of

A)team talk.
B)connotations.
C)abstraction.
D)denotation.
E)bypassing.

Answer 3

E

Question 4

The use of abusive language by group members can damage relationships,reduce group productivity,and devastate group morale,teamwork,and loyalty.All of the following strategies can help stop,minimize,and/or effectively confront verbal abuse EXCEPT:

A)Express your objection and explain that you are offended.
B)Raise your voice and return the insult using strong,aggressive language.
C)Ask the person to repeat what she or he said.
D)Take a "time out" when a discussion becomes uncomfortable or abusive.
E)Point out that abusive language violates group norms and/or organization policies.

Question 5

__________ is the communicative means groups use to achieve group goals,the stimulus we use to build relationships,and the evidence we use to assess group work.

A)Connotation
B)Bypassing
C)Climate
D)Team talk
E)Provisionalism

Question 6

The variations in vocabulary,pronunciation,syntax,and style that distinguish speakers from different ethnic groups and geographic areas are referred to as

A)denotative differences.
B)dialects.
C)codeswitching.
D)abstract meaning.
E)jargon.

Question 7

_____________ communication refers to how you use the words in a language to generate meaning

A)Nonverbal
B)Denotation
C)Verbal
D)Abstract
E)Concrete

Question 8

Which of the following statements illustrates the Social Equality Dimension of team talk?

A)"I don't think we should quit until we're finished."
B)"Hey,guys,let's find out where Lee stands on this before we do anything this far out."
C)"What do you need to know to do this?"
D)"How many of you think Lee is right?"
E)"We've always done it this way."

Question 9

At a regular study group meeting,one member asks that everyone to "summarize the most important information in each chapter." At the next meeting,a group member distributes a printed outline of the text's important concepts but wonders why no one else in the group has made the same effort.This misunderstanding is an example of

A)failure to follow the rules of language.
B)denotation.
C)failure to interpret nonverbal behavior.
D)bypassing.
E)concrete words.

Question 10

In reviewing the research on dialects,Carley Dodd has drawn several conclusions.Which statement is NOT one of Dodd's conclusions?

A)People judge others by their speech.
B)Upward mobility and social aspirations influence whether people change their speech to the accepted norms.
C)It would be unethical to speak differently at home than you would speak at work.
D)General American Speech is most accepted by the majority of the American culture.
E)People should be aware of dialect prejudices and attempt to look beyond the surface.

Question 11

Which of the following terms is an example of an abstract word?

A)Meeting
B)Table
C)Computer
D)Dictionary
E)Fairness

Question 12

Which of the following terms refers to message components other than words that generate meaning?

A)Bypassing
B)Nonverbal
C)Connotation
D)Verbal
E)Jargon

Question 13

The modern interpretation of the Whorf Hypothesis draws the following conclusion about the interrelationships and effects of language,culture,and thought.Which of the following statements best represents the current,accepted version of this theory?

A)Language is influential in shaping how people think and experience the world.
B)Language determines how we see,experience,and interpret the world around.
C)Arizona's Hopi Indians make no distinction in their language among past,present,and future tenses-and therefore cannot think about the past or future.
D)Arizona's Hopi Indians have a single world,masa'ytaka,for everything that flies,from insects to airplanes.
E)In Finland,there is only one pronoun for the words he and she,which helps avoid the tendency to link certain behaviors or jobs to either men or women.

Question 14

In the United States,Standard American English is the most commonly accepted dialect spoken by as much as___________ of the U.S.population.

A)45%
B)50%
C)60%
D)70%
E)75%

Question 15

Researchers claim that men and women tend to use language differently.Men are more likely to

A)use communication to maintain relationships and cooperate with others.
B)assert their ideas and verbally compete with others.
C)include qualifiers and tag questions in their sentences.
D)provide more supporting or explanatory details before getting to the point.
E)speak tentatively.

Question 16

Which team talk dimension focuses on members using plural pronouns rather than singular ones when talking about the group and its work?

A)Identification
B)Interdependence
C)Power differentiation
D)Social distance
E)Negotiation process

Question 17

Which of the following words is the most concrete description of a group member's behavior?

A)Disruptive
B)Rude
C)Insensitive
D)Burps
E)Offends

Question 18

When African Americans speak one way among white people or in business settings and quite differently at home,they are

A)using jargon.
B)bypassing.
C)codeswitching.
D)accenting.
E)culture-jumping.

Question 19

Which of the following strategies can help you develop a strong,collaborative group that uses team talk effectively?

A)Use the singular pronouns I,me,and mine to demonstrate your contributions and value to the group.
B)When describing a need or making a request to a group,you should say "I want ...." rather than "we need to ..."
C)Use a passive voice as a means to avoid being blamed or criticized,as in "The report hasn't been written yet" rather than "I have written the report."
D)Avoid expressing disagreement with members as a means of reducing conflict.
E)As more "What if? Questions and fewer "We can't do it" statements.

Question 20

Which of the following statements illustrates the Conflict Management Dimension of team talk?

A)"We've finished this in record time."
B)"Hey,guys,let's find out where Lee stands on this before we do anything this far out."
C)"Could we back up and look at this issue from a different angle?"
D)"How many of you think Lee is right?"
E)"Does this meet our standard for good work?"

Question 21

According to Jack Gibb and his concept of defensive/supportive communication,which communication behavior is the opposite of strategic?

A)Evaluative
B)Neutral
C)Superior
D)Empathetic
E)Spontaneous

Question 22

According to anthropologist Edward T.Hall,what are the distance parameters most North Americans use when interacting with new acquaintances and strangers?

A)0 to 18 inches
B)18 inches to 4 feet
C)4 feet to 8 feet
D)8 feet to 12 feet
E)12 feet to 15 feet

Question 23

Researchers have identified several differences in the ways women and men tend to use nonverbal communication.Generally,which of the following nonverbal behaviors is more characteristic of men?

A)Men use more facial expressions and smile more
B)Men appear more relaxed.
C)Men establish and use more eye contact.
D)Men touch other members more.
E)Men use more expressive movements.

Question 24

Which dimension of a supportive communication climate is evident when group members are flexible,offer ideas,and welcome a variety of suggestions from others?

A)Descriptive
B)Provisional
C)Controlling
D)Neutral
E)Certain

Question 25

In dialectic terms,effective group members rely on both verbal and nonverbal communication to generate meaning..

Question 26

Research suggests that nonverbal communication accounts for between ___________% of the meaning we communicate to others when we interact with them face-to-face.

A)20-30
B)30-40
C)40-50
D)50-60
E)60-70

Question 27

While preparing for a corporate job interview,Richard pays careful attention to selecting appropriate clothing (including a long-sleeved shirt to hide his tattoo),reminding himself to smile and establish eye contact with the person who will be interviewing him,and answering questions in a strong,confident voice.What aspect of nonverbal communication has Richard failed to consider?

A)Appearance
B)Vocal quality
C)Facial expression
D)Body movement
E)Language choice

Question 28

In Donnellon's recommendations for effective team talk,you should use the negotiation strategy to ask "what if" questions,propose solution criteria,and summarize areas of agreement..

Question 29

Toby presents a proposed solution to a group problem and says,"If it's okay with everyone,I'd like to explain how this solution worked in a group I once belonged to and how we pulled together to make it work.The same kind of teamwork may help us solve this problem." Which supportive behavior is exemplified in Toby's statement?

A)Descriptive
B)Empathic
C)Equality
D)Provisional
E)Spontaneous

Question 30

Jack Gibb describes six pairs of communication behaviors that influence whether a group's climate is defensive or supportive.Which of the following communication behaviors is the opposite of evaluative?

A)Controlling
B)Problem Orientated
C)Strategic
D)Superior
E)Descriptive

Question 31

Researchers concludes that attractive people experience enjoy all of the following advantages more than less attractive people EXCEPT for

A)being seen as friendlier.
B)being seen as more credible.
C)making more money.
D)getting promoted more often.
E)being misunderstood less.

Question 32

Nonverbal messages often expresses the emotional meaning of verbal messages..

Question 33

Group members' tone of voice,eye contact,and physical proximity can tell you as much or more about their thoughts and feelings than the words they speak..

Question 34

Members of most well-established groups interact with one another at Hall's

A)intimate distance.
B)personal distance.
C)social distance.
D)business distance.
E)public distance.

Question 35

Most task-oriented leaders are attracted to the head of a table,while more socially oriented leaders are likely to sit

A)in the middle position at the side of a table.
B)at the corner of a table in order to avoid sitting at the head of the table.
C)at various places around the table in order to sit side-by-side with every member.
D)at the head of the table,just like task-oriented leaders.
E)next to a task-oriented member who can keep the leader on track.

Question 36

Aisha laughs and smiles when she talks,stands close to other group members in a relaxed posture,and always uses direct eye contact.What characteristic of nonverbal communication is she using?

A)Kinesics
B)Nonverbal immediacy
C)Spontaneity and provisionalism
D)Territoriality
E)Social distance

Question 37

According to Jack Gibb and his concept of defensive/supportive communication,what type of response is the statement "That's a stupid way to approach the problem."?

A)Descriptive
B)Evaluative
C)Problem Oriented
D)Strategic
E)Empathetic

Question 38

After presenting a proposed solution to a group problem,Carlos says "There is absolutely no way this plan will solve the problem." Which defensive behavior is exemplified in Carlos's statement?

A)Certain
B)Controlling
C)Evaluative
D)Neutral
E)Strategic

Question 39

All of the following nonverbal behaviors are characteristics of nonverbal immediacy EXCEPT

A)more eye contact.
B)more touching.
C)more leaning back.
D)more relaxed posture.
E)more laughing and smiling.

Question 40

Posture,touch,gestures,and movement are examples of

A)territoriality.
B)intimate distance.
C)denotation.
D)polychronics.
E)kinesics.

Question 41

Concrete words refer to specific things you perceive with your senses-things you can see,hear,touch,smell,or taste..

Question 42

Effective group members who understand the importance of team talk use "I" language more than they use "you" and "we" language..

Question 43

When you use the word "you," you are taking responsibility for your own feeling and actions..

Question 44

The use of appropriate job titles is an important element of the social equality dimension of team talk..

Question 45

When dealing with a group member who uses offensive language,it's important to remember that the use of such language is okay as long as no one in the group is targeted..

Question 46

The six dimensions in Donnellon's team talk include conflict management,negotiation,and identification..

Question 47

Effective group members in positions of power engage in team talk by refraining from talking and interrupting members more than others do..

Question 48

Men tend to language that includes tag questions such as,"Let's move on to the next item on the agenda,okay?".

Question 49

The use of jargon is always counterproductive in communication..

Question 50

Group members who look for meaning in the people using words rather than in the words themselves are less likely to bypass or be bypassed..

Question 51

The more abstract your language,the more likely others will misinterpret its intended meaning..

Question 52

Bypassing is the means we use to achieve group goals,the stimulus we use to build group relationships,and the evidence we use to assess group work...False.False.False.False

Question 53

Successful teams use plural pronouns such as "we" and "us" when talking to one another..

Question 54

Saying "Greg's behavior was disruptive" is an example of abstract language..

Question 55

Abstract words refer to ideas or concepts you cannot see or touch,such as dignity,hope,and faith..

Question 56

Male speech is generally characterized as more direct and forceful than female speech..

Question 57

Bypassing occurs when group members use different meaning for the same words..

Question 58

"Hey,Fred,try to find out whether Bob will be able to hang out with us after the meeting is over" is an example of the social equality dimension of team talk..

Question 59

When dealing with a group member who uses offensive language to attack or intimidate others,your text recommends using controlling behaviors such as raising your own voice or using sarcasm..

Question 60

"Wouldn't we be in a better position if we wrote up a persuasive and detailed justification for the cost?" is an example of the minimal power differentiation dimensions of team talk..

Question 61

Members of well-established groups who use Hall's personal zone to communicate with one another will find it difficult to maintain comfortable interaction..

Question 62

A number of studies conclude that group members prefer face-to-face seating for cooperative activities..

Question 63

People in low context cultures put more emphasis on language to interpret meaning..

Question 64

A roundtable seating arrangement tends to foster more interaction than other arrangements..

Question 65

There may be times when a group member may need to behave in a way that creates a defensive climate in order to help a group achieve its goal..

Question 66

Research suggests that emoticons have a significant effect on the interpretation of a typed message..

Question 67

Dialects are distinct from the commonly accepted general form of a particular language..

Question 68

Research continues to confirm that women are more sensitive to nonverbal communication and more accurately interpret the meaning of nonverbal behaviors across various contexts..

Question 69

Appropriate member-to-member touch can result in greater teamwork,solidarity,and sharing among members..

Question 70

Sociologist Jack Gibb describes a defensive climate as one in which members devote attention to protecting themselves and defeating their perceived opponents..

Question 71

People who are perceived as attractive tend to make more money and get promoted more often than those who are perceived as unattractive..

Question 72

If you slouch in your chair,other group members may interpret your posture as lack of interest or dislike for the group..

Question 73

We usually use Hall's social distance (4 to 8 feet apart)with new acquaintances and strangers..

Question 74

Emoticons such as ; )or :-( are very effective substitutes for communicating feelings and emotions in virtual teams..

Question 75

A consistent finding across several studies is that speakers of Standard American English are judged as more intelligent,ambitious,and successful..

Question 76

A dialect is the sound of one language imposed on another..

Question 77

Direct and consistent eye contact is insulting to many North Americans..

Question 78

Researchers suggest that more than 90% of the meaning generated in face-to-face interactions with others is conveyed through nonverbal behavior..

Question 79

Many middle-class African Americans engage in codeswitching as they speak both Black English and Standard American English..

Question 80

People in high context cultures put more emphasis on nonverbal codes to interpret meaning..